Electrowetting displays

ABSTRACT

The performance of electro-wetting displays can be improved by: (a) providing a concealment member ( 112 ) which conceals the moving fluid ( 108 ) when that fluid ( 108 ) is confined to a small area; (b) using the moving fluid to cover one or more sections of a filter or reflector having differently-colored sections; (c) moving the moving fluid between the rear surface and a side surface of a microcell; (d) using as a substrate for a moving fluid a substrate resistant to wetting by the fluid but pierced by multiple conductive vias capped with a material wetted by the fluid; and (e) coloring the moving fluid with pigments or nanoparticles.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.10/711,802 filed Oct. 6, 2004 (Publication No. 2005/0151709, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,420,549), which itself claims benefit of Application Ser. No.60/481,482, filed Oct. 8, 2003.

The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to electrowetting displays.

It has been known for more than a century that the interfacial tensionbetween two immiscible media can be controlled by applying an electricpotential across these media; see, for example, Lippmann, M. G., Ann.Chim. Phys., 5, 494 (1875). It has also long been known that themathematical relationship between the applied electric potential (V) andthe resulting surface tension (γ) can be expressed in Lippmann'sEquation:γ=γ₀−0.5 cV²where γ₀ is the surface tension of the solid-liquid interface at thepotential zero charge (i.e., when there is no charge at the surface ofthe solid), and c is the capacitance per unit area, assuming that thecharge layer can be modeled as a symmetric Helmholtz capacitor.So-called electro-osmotic and electro-capillary displays have also beendeveloped; all these types of displays rely upon the change in wettingcharacteristics of a liquid in the presence of an electric field. See,for example, Sheridon, N. K., “Electrocapillary Imaging Devices forDisplay and Data Storage”, Xerox Disclosure Journal 1979, 4, 385-386;and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,005; 5,808,593; 5,757,345; 5,731,792;5,659,330; 4,569,575; 6,603,444; and 6,449,081. A variety of displaysusing this principle have also been developed by Richard B. Fair and hisco-workers at Duke University; see, for example,www.ee.duke.edu/Research/microfluidics.

More recently, it has been discovered that a thin dielectric layerbetween the electrode and the liquid in an electro-wetting apparatus(thereby forming a so-called “electro-wetting on dielectric” apparatus)can emulate the electric double layer present in conventionalelectro-wetting apparatus. The dielectric layer can block electrontransfer while sustaining the high electric field at the interface thatresults in charge redistribution when a potential is applied. Using ahydrophobic dielectric and an aqueous liquid provides a large initialcontact angle, and thus room for a large change in contact angle uponelectro-wetting. Furthermore, by employing a dielectric layer betweenthe liquid and electrode, virtually any kind of liquid can be used,regardless of the polarization of the interface; see Moon, H., et al.,“Low voltage electrowetting-on-dielectric”, J. Appl. Phys, 2002, 92,4080.

Researchers at Philips Research Laboratories, Eindhoven, theNetherlands, have described an electro-wetting display which is statedto be capable of video rate applications; see Nature, 425, 383 (2003)and International Applications WO 2004/068208; WO 2004/027489; and WO03/071346. This display is of the electro-wetting on dielectric type anduses a cell having at its base a transparent electrode disposed over awhite substrate. The electrode is covered by a hydrophobic dielectriclayer. The cell further contains a colored (dyed) oil and water. When novoltage is applied, the colored oil wets the hydrophobic dielectric, sothat the color seen is that of the oil. However, when a voltage isapplied between the transparent electrode and a second electrode incontact with the water, the oil moves to a small portion of the pixel,so that in the major part of the pixel shows the white color of thesubstrate. An CMYK color scheme can be realized by dividing a pixel intothree sub-pixels, the sub-pixels each having a white substrate, but witheach sub-pixel having two oil layers of differing colors, for examplecyan and magenta.

This type of display has a number of problems. The display is notbistable, since the confinement of the oil to the small portion of thepixel only lasts as long as the field is applied. While this is not aserious disadvantage when the display is used continuously to displayvideo, there are applications where a user may wish to pause a video andexamine an individual frame and, especially in portable devices, itwould be advantageous if the display could be made bistable so that suchexamination of individual frames could be done without continuous powerdrain on a battery. The visibility of the oil in a small portion of thepixel reduces the contrast ratio of the display. The use of a dyedissolved in the oil may give rise to long term problems since most dyesin solution are adversely affected by long term exposure to radiation,which typically causes fading of the dye. This may be a particularproblem in a display which relies upon the use of differently-coloredoils, which are unlikely to fade at the same rate, so that the colorsdisplayed may drift with time.

The present invention relates to various improvements in electro-wettingdisplays which can reduce or eliminate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a substrate;    -   a first fluid disposed adjacent the substrate, the first fluid        absorbing at least one wavelength of light;    -   a light-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first        fluid;    -   at least one electrode for applying an electric field to the        first fluid; and    -   a concealment member spaced from the substrate and formed from a        substantially opaque material,    -   such that, in the absence of an electric field, the first fluid        covers a first area of the substrate, but that upon application        of an electric field to the first fluid by the at least one        electrode, the first fluid moves to a second area smaller than        the first area and substantially confined between the        concealment member and the substrate, so that the concealment        member substantially conceals the first fluid from an observer        viewing the display from the opposed side of the concealment        member from the substrate.

The term “light-transmissive” is used herein to mean that the secondfluid must transmit sufficient light to enable an observer, viewing themovement of the first fluid through the second fluid, to see thismovement. (In the case of displays intended for machine reading atnon-optical wavelengths, the term “light-transmissive” must of course beunderstood to mean transmissive of the wavelength(s) of electromagneticradiation at which the display is read, and other terms used belowreferring to light should be construed accordingly.) Typically, thelight-transmissive second fluid will be transparent, but we do notexclude the possibility that some color might be present in the secondfluid to adjust the colors displayed. For example, many people prefer a“white” with a slightly blue hue over a strictly neutral white, so that,for example, in a display of the type described below with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, in which the color change is from white to black, it maybe advantageous to impart a slight blue color to render the white stateslightly blue-white.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the “concealmentmember display” of the present invention. In such a display, thesubstrate may comprise a dielectric surface adjacent the first fluid,and/or may comprise a colored or reflective layer. In one preferred formof such a display, the substrate has a substantially planar surface andthe concealment member includes a substantially planar section extendingsubstantially parallel to, but spaced from, the substantially planarsurface of the substrate.

In another aspect, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a substrate having at least first and second portions having        first and second optical characteristics differing from one        another;    -   a first fluid, the first fluid absorbing at least one wavelength        of light and having a third optical characteristic differing        from at least one of the first and second optical        characteristics;    -   a light-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first        fluid; and    -   a first electrode adjacent the first portion of the substrate        and a second electrode adjacent the second portion of the        substrate,    -   such that by controlling the potentials applied to the first and        second electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume a first        position, wherein the first fluid substantially covers the        second portion of the substrate, leaving the first portion        uncovered, and a second position, wherein the first fluid        substantially covers the first portion of the substrate, leaving        the second portion uncovered.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the “colorshifting display” of the present invention. In such a display, the firstfluid may be capable of assuming a third position in which it coversboth the first and second portions of the display.

In a color shifting display, the substrate may have more than twoportions of differing colors. For example, the substrate may have athird portion having an optical characteristic differing from the first,second and third optical characteristics, and the display may furthercomprise a third electrode adjacent the third portion of the substrate,such that by controlling the potentials applied to the first, second andthird electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume a thirdposition, wherein the first fluid substantially covers at least one ofthe first and second portions of the substrate, leaving the thirdportion uncovered. For example, the first, second and third portions ofthe substrate may be red, green and blue, or yellow, cyan and magenta inany arrangement. Further, the substrate may have a fourth portion havingan optical characteristic differing from the first, second and thirdoptical characteristics and from the optical characteristic of the thirdportion of the substrate, and the display may further comprise a fourthelectrode adjacent the fourth portion of the substrate, such that bycontrolling the potentials applied to the first, second, third andfourth electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume a fourthposition, wherein the first fluid substantially covers at least one ofthe first, second and third portions of the substrate, leaving thefourth portion uncovered. For example, the first, second, third andfourth portions of the substrate may be red, green, blue and black, oryellow, cyan, magenta and black, in any arrangement.

In a color shifting display of the invention typically the first andsecond (and third and fourth, if present) portions of the substrate willbe coplanar. These portions may assume various geometric forms. Forexample, these portions may have substantially the form of equilateraltriangles. Alternatively, the first and second portions may havesubstantially the form of circles, the substantially circular first andsecond portions being connected by a neck section having a width smallerthan the diameter of each substantially circular portion. An electrodemay be disposed on or adjacent this neck section.

In another aspect, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a first substrate through which an observer can view the        display, a second substrate spaced from the first substrate and        at least one sidewall extending between the first and second        substrates, the first and second substrates and the sidewall        together defining a chamber having a first substrate surface, a        second substrate surface and at least one sidewall surface;    -   a first fluid disposed within the chamber, the first fluid        absorbing at least one wavelength of light;

a light-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first fluid anddisposed within the chamber;

-   -   a first electrode disposed adjacent the second substrate surface        of the chamber;    -   a second electrode disposed adjacent a sidewall surface of the        chamber; and    -   a third electrode extending into the chamber and in electrical        contact with the second fluid,    -   such that, by controlling the potentials applied to the first,        second and third electrodes, the first fluid can be made to        assume a first position, wherein the first fluid lies adjacent        the second substrate surface of the chamber, and a second        position, wherein the first fluid lies adjacent a sidewall        surface of the chamber.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the “microcelldisplay” of the present invention. In such a display, the substrate maycomprise a dielectric surface adjacent the first fluid, and/or maycomprise a colored or reflective layer. The display may further comprisean insulator block disposed adjacent the junction between the secondsubstrate surface and a sidewall surface of the chamber, with the thirdelectrode passing through the insulator block.

In another aspect, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a fluid;    -   a substrate having an exposed surface resistant to wetting by        the fluid;    -   at least three conductive vias extending through the substrate        and terminating adjacent the exposed surface thereof, and    -   cap members covering the ends of the conductive vias adjacent        the exposed surface, the cap members being formed of a material        wetted by the fluid.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the “conductivevia display” of the present invention. In such a display, the conductivevias may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. Also, the fluid may beaqueous, the exposed surface hydrophobic and the cap members formed of ahydrophilic material.

In another aspect, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a substrate;    -   a first fluid disposed adjacent the substrate, the first fluid        absorbing at least one wavelength of light;    -   a light-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first        fluid; and    -   at least one electrode for applying an electric field to the        first fluid,    -   such that, in the absence of an electric field, the first fluid        covers a first area of the substrate, but that upon application        of an electric field to the first fluid by the at least one        electrode, the first fluid moves to a second area smaller than        the first area,    -   wherein the first fluid is colored with pigment particles,        nanoparticles or quantum dots.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the“pigment/nanoparticle display” of the present invention. It should benoted that, in any of the displays of the present invention, when acolored fluid is required, the color of such a fluid may be provided byany one or more of pigment particles, nanoparticles and quantum dots.(For background information on quantum dots see, for example, Wang etal, “Electrochromic Nanocrystal Quantum Dots,” Science Magazine, vol.291, Mar. 23, 2001, pp. 2390-2392; Murray, C. B., et al., “Synthesis andCharacterization of Nearly Monodisperse CdE (E=S, Se, Te) SemiconductorNanocrystallites”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 115(19), 8709 (1993); and Huang,J., et al., “Photoluminescence and electroluminescence of ZnS:Cunanocrystals in polymeric networks”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 70, 2335(1997).) Quantum dots may be particularly advantageous since they may bestimulated into emission by the electrical potentials used to controlthe fluids.

This invention also provides a display comprising:

-   -   spaced first and second electrodes, the second electrode being        light-transmissive;    -   first and second fluids confined between the first and second        electrodes, the first and second fluids being immiscible with        each other, the first and second fluids being        non-light-transmissive and having differing colors,    -   the display having a first stable state wherein the first fluid        lies adjacent the first electrode so that the color of the        second fluid is visible to an observer viewing the display        through the second electrode, and a second stable state wherein        the first fluid lies adjacent the second electrode so that the        color of the first fluid is visible to the observer.

For convenience, this display may hereinafter be called the “dualcolored fluid display” of the present invention. In such a display, thefirst fluid may comprise an oil and the second fluid be aqueous. Thedisplay may further comprise first and second dielectric layers disposedbetween the first and second electrodes respectively and the fluids.

Finally, this invention provides a display comprising:

-   -   a substrate;    -   a first fluid disposed adjacent the substrate, the first fluid        absorbing at least one wavelength of light;    -   a light-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first        fluid; and    -   at least one electrode for applying an electric field to the        first fluid;    -   such that, in the absence of an electric field, the first fluid        covers a first area of the substrate, but that upon application        of an electric field to the first fluid by the at least one        electrode, the first fluid moves to a second area smaller than        the first area,    -   the display further comprising means for restricting the        movement of the first fluid between the second and first areas.

In such a display, restriction of the movement of the first fluidbetween the first and second areas allows the quantity of fluid, andhence the thickness of the layer of first fluid, in the second area tobe controlled, thus allowing for variation in color intensity (i.e.,gray scale) even though the second fluid covers the whole of the firstarea. This is an important advantage in as much as conventionalelectrowetting displays are monochrome; the fluid either occupies thesecond area or the first area, and if the latter all the available fluidcovers the first area with a layer which can only have one thickness.

The means used to restrict the movement of the first fluid between thesecond and first areas may be mechanical; for example, the restrictingmeans may comprise a barrier surrounding the second area. Such a barriermay be provided with a capillary passage therethrough, this passagepossibly having a surface energy intermediate hydrophobic andhydrophilic. Alternatively, the restricting means may be provided by thephysical characteristics of the first fluid itself, for example, thefirst fluid may have a yield stress or be shear thinning, so thatcontrol of the movement of the first fluid can be accomplished by themanner in the which the electric potentials are applied thereto. Otherrestricting means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a schematic side elevation of aconcealment member display of the present invention with the secondfluid covering a large first area of a substrate;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation similar to FIG. 1 but showing thesecond fluid confined to a smaller second area of the substrate.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the substrate of a four-color colorshifting display of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of a bistable dual colored fluidelectro-wetting display of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is schematic side elevation of a microcell display of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second color shifting display of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation of a conductive via display of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As already mentioned, this invention has several different aspects.These various aspects will be described separately below, but it shouldbe understood that a single display may make use of multiple aspects ofthe invention. For example, a microcell display of the invention mightuse a first fluid colored with pigment particles or nanoparticles inaccordance with the pigment/nanoparticle aspect of the invention.

In the present displays, the first (moving) fluid is typically an oil,while the second fluid is typically aqueous. For ease of comprehension,the description below may use the terms “oil” and “water” instead offirst and second fluids, but these terms “oil” and “water” should not beconstrued in a limitative sense.

Firstly, as already mentioned, the present invention provides aconcealment member display having a concealment member for concealingthe oil when an electric field is applied; the present invention alsoprovides a method for operating such a display. A specific concealmentmember display of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of theaccompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the electro-wetting display(only a single pixel of which is illustrated) comprises a substrate 102(typically colored white), a transparent first electrode 104, and adielectric layer 106. A layer of a colored first fluid (oil) is spreadover a large first area (illustrated as the whole) of the dielectriclayer 106, and a transparent second fluid (water) 110 overlies the oillayer 108. The electro-wetting display further comprises a concealmentmember 112 which has a first portion extending away from the dielectriclayer 106 and a second portion extending parallel to the planardielectric layer 106; the surface of the second portion of theconcealment member 112 carries a second electrode (not shown).

FIG. 1 shows the electro-wetting display with no field being appliedbetween the two electrodes, so that a colored oil layer 108 is spreaduniformly over the surface of the dielectric layer 106. Thus, the singlepixel illustrated displays the color of the oil. FIG. 2 shows thedisplay with a field applied between the two electrodes. The oil layeris no longer spread uniformly over the surface of the of the dielectriclayer 106 but instead is gathered into the compact droplet 108′ coveringa second area lying beneath the concealment member 112, so that anobserver viewing the display in the intended direction (namely from theopposed side of the concealment member 112 from the substrate 102, i.e.,from above in FIGS. 1 and 2) sees primarily the white substrate 102,with the concealment member 112 concealing the oil droplet 108′ from theobserver.

It will be apparent that the contrast ratio of the pixel can be alteredby varying the color of the visible surface of the concealment member112 (i.e., the surface remote from the dielectric layer 106). Forexample, making this visible surface white will increase the brightnessof the white state of the pixel (as illustrated in FIG. 2) although atsome cost to the darkness of the dark state (shown in FIG. 1).Alternatively, the maximum contrast ratio might be achieved by makingthe visible surface an intermediate gray shade.

Numerous variations of the display shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are possible.For example, it is not necessary that the second electrode be located onthe concealment member, so long as the second electrode is in electricalcontact with the water 110. Indeed, it is not necessary that each pixelof the display have a separate second electrode; instead, the displaymay use an electrode arrangement similar to that of conventional activematrix displays, with a common front electrode (shaped to appropriatelydirect the movement of the first fluid, as described below) extendingacross a large number of pixels and typically the whole display) butwith individual first electrodes 104 for each pixel. Also, it is notnecessary that one optical state of the display show the color of thesubstrate. For example, the substrate could be transparent, so that thedisplay acts as a light modulator. Alternatively, a colored filter orreflector could be disposed in any suitable location.

FIG. 3 is a highly schematic top plan view of one pixel of the substrateof a four-color color shifting display of the present invention. As willbe seen from this Figure, the pixel is equilaterally triangular, and iscomposed of four equilaterally triangular sub-pixels, with the centralsub-pixel being black (K) and the others red (R), green (G) and blue(B); obviously, cyan, yellow and magenta sub-pixels could be used inplace of the red, green and blue ones if desired. This pixel is providedwith four electrodes (not shown), one at each of the vertices of thetriangular pixel and the fourth at its center. (If desired, theelectrodes could be provided on concealment members similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the exposed surfaces of the concealmentmembers colored to match the underlying portion of the pixel.) The pixelis used in combination with a black colored oil, and functions in amanner very similar to the display shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When no fieldis applied by any of the electrodes, the oil is spread uniformly overthe entire pixel, which thus appears black throughout. If a voltage isapplied using only the central electrode, the oil is gathered into thecentral black sub-pixel, leaving the red, green and blue sub-pixelsexposed, so that the overall appearance of the pixel will be a “processwhite” (actually a gray). If, for example, a voltage is applied usingboth the central electrode and the electrode adjacent the red sub-pixel,the ink will cover the black and red sub-pixels and a cyan color will bedisplayed. It will readily be apparent that by applying voltages to one,two or three electrodes, a variety of colors can be displayed on thepixel.

It is also possible to produce bistable electro-wetting displays. Mostprior art electro-wetting displays are only monostable because only thestate in which no electric field is being applied is stable; the otherstate (similar to that shown in FIG. 2) only persists as long as thefield is applied. However, dual colored fluid electro-wetting displaysof the present invention can be made having two states each of which issimilar to that shown in FIG. 1. One pixel of one form of such a dualcolored fluid bistable display is illustrated in FIG. 4. This displaycomprises a substrate 102 (which, for reasons explained below, need notbe colored), an electrode 104 (which need not be transparent), and adielectric layer 106, all of which are, except as indicated, similar tothe corresponding integers in FIG. 1. The display further comprises acolored oil layer 108 and a colored aqueous layer 110′, which has acolor different from that of the oil layer 108. There is no concealmentmember, but instead the display of FIG. 4 comprises a front transparentdielectric layer 114 and a transparent front electrode 116; in practice,it may be desirable to provide a front substrate (not shown) to providemechanical support and protection for the display.

In the condition shown in FIG. 4, which is equivalent to that shown inFIG. 1, with the oil layer 108 spread uniformly over the dielectriclayer 106, the pixel displays (to an observer viewing the displaythrough the electrode 116 and dielectric layer 114, i.e., from above inFIG. 4) the color of the aqueous layer 110′, which obscures the color ofthe oil layer 108. However, by applying suddenly a voltage between theelectrode 104 and an electrode (not shown) in contact with the aqueouslayer 110′, the oil layer 108 can be made to dewet from the dielectriclayer 106, form a part-ellipsoidal droplet similar to the droplet 108′shown in FIG. 2, and thence (as the driving voltage is removed) wet thefront transparent dielectric layer 114, thereby entering a second stablestate, which is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 4 except thatthe oil layer lies adjacent the front transparent dielectric layer 114.In this second stable state, the pixel displays the color of the oillayer, which obscures the color of the aqueous layer 110′. It willreadily be apparent that the pixel can be switched between these twostable states as often as desired. Furthermore, since a substantialvoltage will have to be applied to the display to switch it between itstwo stable states, the display has a threshold for switching; such athreshold may enable such a display to be driven using a passive matrixapproach instead of requiring the use of a more complicated activematrix approach.

If dyes are used to color the oil layer 108 and the aqueous layer 110′in the display of FIG. 4, it is important for long term stability of thedisplay that these dyes not migrate between the two layers. In practice,this should not create great difficulties, since a variety of dyes areavailable which are water-soluble but not oil-soluble, or vice versa.However, it may be advantageous to employ pigment particles ornanoparticles rather than dyes as colorants. Such pigment particles ornanoparticles may be provided with coatings (see, for example, U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2002/0185378) to render them stronglyhydrophilic or lipophilic so that they will not migrate between the oiland water layers.

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings is a schematic side elevation,generally similar to that of FIG. 4, and showing a microcellelectro-wetting display which operates in a manner generally similar tothat of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a single microcell of the display having arear wall (second substrate) 502, side walls 504 and 506 and a frontwall (first substrate) 508 through which the display is viewed. Themicrocell further comprises a rear transparent electrode 510, and a reardielectric layer 512, which are similar to the corresponding integersshown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and are disposed adjacent the second substratesurface of the microcell. However, the microcell also comprises a side(second) electrode 514 (which need not be transparent) disposed adjacentthe sidewall surface, and an associated side dielectric layer 516. Theelectrodes 510 and 514 are insulated from each other by an insulatorblock 518, from which a third electrode 520 emerges into an uncoloredaqueous medium 110 which substantially fills the microcell. Themicrocell also contains a colored oil phase 522.

The first stable state of the microcell shown in FIG. 5 is similar tothat of FIGS. 1 and 4; when no voltages are applied between theelectrodes, the colored oil phase 522 wets the rear dielectric layer 512so that an observer viewing the microcell through the front wall 508sees the color of the oil phase 522 through the uncolored aqueous medium110. However, upon sudden application of a voltage between the rearelectrode 510 and the third electrode 520, the oil phase 522 will ceaseto wet the rear dielectric layer 512 and will form a droplet which willtravel past the electrode 520 and end up in a second stable state inwhich it wets the side dielectric layer 516. In this second stablestate, an observer viewing the microcell through the front wall 508 seesthe color (if any) of the rear electrode 510 or the rear dielectriclayer 512, either of which may be colored (the oil phase 522 lyingadjacent the side dielectric layer 516 occupies only a small proportionof the cross-section of the microcell and is essentially invisible tothe observer). Alternatively, both the rear electrode 510 and the reardielectric layer 512 may be uncolored, and a colored backing orreflector may be provided behind the microcell, so that the microcellcan operate in so-called “shutter mode” cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,774 and6,172,798.

It will be appreciated that, in addition to the embodiments describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, numerous other types of colorelectro-wetting displays can be produced using colored oil phases whichare moved to cover electrodes having other colors and possibly differingin area. It is known that liquid droplets can be moved by electricfields between adjacent electrodes lying in the same plane by applyingvoltage to an electrode adjacent to one on which an oil phase isresting, thereby causing the oil phase to move to the electrode to whichthe voltage is applied. Such movement can of course be reversed. Byusing electrodes differing in color and optionally size, and colored oilphases, a variety of effects can be produced. A simple monochromedisplay can be provided by moving a black oil phase between a largewhite electrode and a small black one; obviously, when the black oilphase covers the white electrode, both the black and white electrodesappear black, while when the black oil phase is confined to the smallblack electrode, the overall appearance of the pixel is essentiallywhite. More complex effects, including color, can be produced by using(for example) an oil phase having substantially the same color as asmall electrode, while an adjacent larger electrode is of acomplementary color. Thus, a color display might make use of individualpixels having the following oil/electrode combinations:

-   -   red oil/small red electrode/large cyan electrode;    -   green oil/small green electrode/large magenta electrode; and    -   blue oil/small blue electrode/large yellow electrode.

In such displays, the second color shifting display of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6 may be useful. This display is essentiallydumb-bell shaped, with a dielectric surface having two circular portions602 and 604 linked by a central, substantially rectangular “neck”portion 606. There are three independently controllable electrodes,namely two circular electrodes 608 and 610 located in the centers of thecircular portions 602 and 604 respectively, and a rectangular electrode612 located in the center of the neck portion 606.

The display shown in FIG. 6 operates in the following manner. Suppose acolored oil phase is disposed on the circular portion 602, with anaqueous phase overlying the colored oil phase and extending into contactwith the rectangular electrode 612 and the circular portion 604. If itis desired to move the oil phase to occupy the circular portion 604, avoltage is applied to the electrode 608, thereby making this electrodehydrophilic, and no voltage is applied to the electrode 612, so thatthis electrode becomes hydrophobic. Accordingly, the oil phase movesfrom portion 602 to neck portion 606. Next, a voltage is applied toelectrode 612, while keeping the voltage applied to electrode 608, butno voltage is applied to the electrode 610. Accordingly, the oil phasemoves from neck portion 606 to circular portion 604. The disposition ofthe oil phase on circular portion 604 will typically be stable, so thatonce the oil phase is located on portion 604, no voltage need be appliedto any of the electrodes.

Although the circular portions 602 and 604 are shown as the same size inFIG. 6, these portions could of course vary in shape (for example, oneportion could be elliptical rather than circular), size and/or color. Inaddition, one of the circular portions could be provided with aconcealment member, similar to concealment member 112 in FIG. 1, toobscure the oil phase present on that circular portion.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation of a conductive via electro-wettingdisplay of the present invention. This display uses an aqueous (andtypically colored) medium as its working fluid. The display of FIG. 7comprises a substrate 702 formed of a hydrophobic dielectric material. Avery high K dielectric is preferred for this purpose, for example asuspension of a ceramic high K dielectric such as barium titanate in apolar polymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride). For reasons which willappear below, provided that the entire substrate 702 is insulating, onlythe properties of the exposed upper surface (as illustrated in FIG. 7)of the substrate 702 affect the operation of the display. Thus, thesubstrate 702 could comprise a high K hydrophobic dielectric exposedsurface layer on a base of a low K material, for example a polymer suchas polyethylene or poly(ethylene terephthalate).

A plurality of spaced conductive vias 704 extend through the substrate702, and terminate adjacent the exposed upper surface thereof. Each via704 is capped by a thin cap member 706 in the form of a hydrophiliccoating covering the end of the conductive via 704 adjacent the exposedupper surface of the substrate 702. Although only three vias 704arranged in a line are shown in FIG. 7, in practice a larger numberwould typically be used, and the vias would be arranged in atwo-dimensional array.

An aqueous working fluid, illustrated as a drop 708, rests upon theexposed surface of the substrate 702. In the absence of any voltage onany of the vias 704, the drop 708 will not wet the hydrophobic surfaceof the substrate 702, but will “ball up” around the cap member 706 ofone of the vias 704 (this is not the situation illustrated in FIG. 7).However, by applying voltage to two adjacent vias 704 (say the centerand right vias in FIG. 7), the portion of the surface of the substrate702 between these vias becomes less hydrophobic, and consequently thedrop 708 spreads out across the cap members of the two vias to which thevoltage has been applied, and the intervening portion of the substrate702, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Provided the characteristics of the capmembers 706 and the exposed surface of the substrate 702 are chosenappropriately, the drop 708 will be stable in the position shown in FIG.7, i.e., the drop will remain in the same position even after removal ofvoltage from the two electrodes, since the drop is “pinned” at eitherend by the cap members 706 on the two vias.

To move the drop 708 to a different position, a voltage may be appliedto (say) the center and left vias 704. This renders the portion of theexposed surface of the substrate 702 between these vias lesshydrophobic, and consequently the drop will flow on to the lesshydrophobic portion of the surface, thus assuming the form 708′ shown inFIG. 7. Obviously, more elaborate manipulations of the aqueous fluid arepossible, especially using two-dimensional arrays of vias.

As already indicated, this invention also extends to the use of pigmentsand nanoparticles as coloring agents in electro-wetting displays.Although electro-wetting displays have hitherto used dyes dissolved inthe oil and/or aqueous phases, dyes in solution are notoriouslysusceptible to the long term effects of electromagnetic radiation,especially ultra-violet radiation, which tends to cause fading and/ordiscoloration of the dyes, and such effects may limit the operatinglifetime of electro-wetting displays. Replacement of dissolved dyes withpigments or nanoparticles provides useful increases in the operatinglifetime. The use of pigments or nanoparticles also allows for controlof the surface properties of the pigments or nanoparticles, for example,by the formation of charged or chargeable groups, or polymers, thereon(see, for example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/0185378).

Numerous changes and modifications can be made in the preferredembodiments of the present invention already described without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole ofthe foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and notin a limitative sense.

1. A display comprising: a substrate having at least first and secondportions having first and second optical characteristics differing fromone another; a first fluid, the first fluid absorbing at least onewavelength of light, being colored by at least one of pigment particles,nanoparticles and quantum dots, and having a third opticalcharacteristic differing from at least one of the first and secondoptical characteristics; a light-transmissive second fluid immisciblewith the first fluid; and a first electrode adjacent the first portionof the substrate and a second electrode adjacent the second portion ofthe substrate, such that by controlling the potentials applied to thefirst and second electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume afirst position, wherein the first fluid substantially covers the secondportion of the substrate, leaving the first portion uncovered, and asecond position, wherein the first fluid substantially covers the firstportion of the substrate, leaving the second portion uncovered.
 2. Adisplay according to claim 1 wherein the first fluid can be made toassume a third position wherein it covers both the first and secondportions of the substrate.
 3. A display according to claim 1 wherein thesubstrate has a third portion having an optical characteristic differingfrom the first, second and third optical characteristics, the displayfurther comprising a third electrode adjacent the third portion of thesubstrate, such that by controlling the potentials applied to the first,second and third electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume athird position, wherein the first fluid substantially covers at leastone of the first and second portions of the substrate, leaving the thirdportion uncovered.
 4. A display according to claim 3 wherein thesubstrate has a fourth portion having an optical characteristicdiffering from the first, second and third optical characteristics andfrom the optical characteristic of the third portion of the substrate,the display further comprising a fourth electrode adjacent the fourthportion of the substrate, such that by controlling the potentialsapplied to the first, second, third and fourth electrodes, the firstfluid can be made to assume a fourth position, wherein the first fluidsubstantially covers at least one of the first, second and thirdportions of the substrate, leaving the fourth portion uncovered.
 5. Adisplay according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions ofthe substrate have substantially the form of equilateral triangles.
 6. Adisplay according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions ofthe substrate have substantially the form of circles, the substantiallycircular first and second portions being connected by a neck sectionhaving a width smaller than the diameter of each substantially circularportion.
 7. A display according to claim 6 wherein an electrode isdisposed on or adjacent the neck section.
 8. A display comprising: afirst substrate through which an observer can view the display, a secondsubstrate spaced from the first substrate and at least one sidewallextending between the first and second substrates, the first and secondsubstrates and the sidewall together defining a chamber having a firstsubstrate surface, a second substrate surface and at least one sidewallsurface; a first fluid disposed within the chamber, the first fluidabsorbing at least one wavelength of light and being colored by at leastone of pigment particles, nanoparticles and quantum dots; alight-transmissive second fluid immiscible with the first fluid anddisposed within the chamber; a first electrode disposed adjacent thesecond substrate surface of the chamber; a second electrode disposedadjacent a sidewall surface of the chamber; and a third electrodeextending into the chamber and in electrical contact with the secondfluid, such that, by controlling the potentials applied to the first,second and third electrodes, the first fluid can be made to assume afirst position, wherein the first fluid lies adjacent the secondsubstrate surface of the chamber, and a second position, wherein thefirst fluid lies adjacent a sidewall surface of the chamber.
 9. Adisplay according to claim 8 further comprising an insulator blockdisposed adjacent the junction between the second substrate surface anda sidewall surface of the chamber, wherein the third electrode passesthrough the insulator block.
 10. A display comprising: a fluid coloredby at least one of pigment particles, nanoparticles and quantum dots; asubstrate having an exposed surface resistant to wetting by the fluid;at least three conductive vias extending through the substrate andterminating adjacent the exposed surface thereof; and cap memberscovering the ends of the conductive vias adjacent the exposed surface,the cap members being formed of a material wetted by the fluid.
 11. Adisplay according to claim 10 wherein the conductive vias are arrangedin a two-dimensional array.
 12. A display according to claim 10 whereinthe fluid is aqueous, the exposed surface is hydrophobic and the capmembers are formed of a hydrophilic material.
 13. A display comprising:spaced first and second electrodes, the second electrode beinglight-transmissive; first and second fluids confined between the firstand second electrodes, the first and second fluids being immiscible witheach other, the first and second fluids being non-light-transmissive andhaving differing colors, at least one of the first and second fluidsbeing colored by at least one of pigment particles, nanoparticles andquantum dots the display having a first stable state wherein the firstfluid lies adjacent the first electrode so that the color of the secondfluid is visible to an observer viewing the display through the secondelectrode, and a second stable state wherein the first fluid liesadjacent the second electrode so that the color of the first fluid isvisible to the observer.
 14. A display according to claim 13 wherein thefirst fluid comprises an oil and the second fluid is aqueous.
 15. Adisplay according to claim 14 further comprising first and seconddielectric layers disposed between the first and second electrodesrespectively and the fluids.